Pocomoke JROTC presents colors at Orioles game

Members from the Pocomoke High School JROTC program present the colors at Oriole Park at Camden Yards prior to the first pitch of the Baltimore Orioles game on Thursday, July 2.(Photo: Todd Olszewski / Baltimore Orioles)

Local sports fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards may have seen a few more familiar faces than usual on the field Thursday, July 2, as five Pocomoke High School JROTC cadets presented the colors prior to the Baltimore Orioles' game against the Texas Rangers.

For the cadets, who frequently do color guard routines locally, the paid attendance of 31,915 fans was the largest audience they've had.

"You always see the National Anthem color guard do their thing," said JROTC instructor Tim Shaner. "To know that we were that thing that night, it felt good to be able to do that and have the kids have that opportunity."

The opportunity was organized by the school's principal, Dr. Annette Wallace, who sought an opportunity for her students that was beyond the city limits of Pocomoke. The cadets found out they were going to the game on June 6 while performing at Pocomoke Middle School's Relay for Life event.

"I was just speechless about the opportunity we were given," Colson said.

From then until the big day, there was plenty of preparation and anticipation for the cadets. Hours of practiced ensured they would stay in step together, while lint rolling the uniforms and shining their shoes made them look, as Harmon put it, "professional and perfect."

"It was a a lifelong dream to step on that field, and when I did the crowd could probably see my heart pumping through my uniform," Harmon said.

The group entered the field from the right field tunnel and marched to the center field warning track. While waiting there, players walked by and gave words of encouragement and catcher Matt Wieters winked at them, Harmon said.

"It was just like how in the movies, how the scene starts white and it fades into the picture of the field," Colson said. "Walking onto the field and seeing the people and the players, it was just phenomenal. It was like a dream, basically."

When it was time to proceed, Mason led the group about 10 paces into center field, and once the performance of the National Anthem began, the colors were presented. At the conclusion of the anthem, they exited through an opening in the left-center field wall.

The students were grateful and happy for the opportunity.

"It'll go down in my grave with me," Harmon said.

School bookkeeper Susan Redden was one of several staff members who attended the game. From her seat down the left field line, she had a great view of the cadets in action.

"I can't explain it, it was so cool," she said. "It was a proud moment."